Description
M3x Vinyl – Overview
The M3x ViNYL is a phono stage, designed to be without any practical limits. Connectivity is straightforward. You have an input and an output. Neither of them can be overloaded at the input or limited in the output driving capacity. It can be set for either MM or MC and exact loading. It offers state-of-the-art technical and sonic performance just like the M6x ViNYL, but at a cheaper entry level to the epitome of the true spirit of high-end audio.
The Advantage of Discrete Circuits
A discrete circuit is composed of electronic components which are disparate, individual devices, also called discrete components. These can be “passive” components, like resistors, capacitors and inductors, as well as “active” components, which in our case are transistors. The opposite to this would be an integrated circuit, which uses operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) in the signal chain. In our industry, we employ specialised Op-Amps built for audio applications, which allow us to produce very small and efficient electronics, as well as saving the time of design engineers. However, countless hours of listening tests and years of experience have shown us that even the very best Op-Amps do not tend to be so neutral, natural, dynamic or vivid – all of which are characteristics of the Musical Fidelity “sound”. For that reason, we’re rediscovering our passion for traditional, discrete designs. Where standard phono pre-amplifiers with integrated circuits have a few tens or hundreds of components, discrete designs will employ hundreds or thousands of components by comparison. That makes for an extended design process, but in our opinion results in the best sound for your money.
Toroidal Power Transformer
The special audio transformer with low core saturation decreases the level of electromagnetic radiation, which is essential because otherwise, any phono amplifier will never be able to work correctly. Together with the distance between transformer and amplification section and the electromagnetic shielding, we are creating an incredibly high signal to noise ratio. If we are working with the few hundreds of microvolts from a phono cartridge, everything is playing its role; every decibel of signal to noise ratio is crucially important. For the first time, we have implemented our new proprietary power supply solution that has zero standby power consumption. Absolutely zero! It is a super green product and we are sure, there isn’t any other product in existence with an ecological standby function like this.
Split Passive EQ
Many other phono stages are using a single equalization network in a global feedback loop. By means of an EQ network, the amplified signal from the output of the phono preamp is brought back to the input of the phono preamp. This is the before-mentioned feedback loop, and the results, as you can imagine, are not in accordance with the high standards in Musical Fidelity design philosophy. The M3x ViNYL uses split passive equalization in separate amplification stages without global negative feedback loops for its RIAA curve. This is more costly to design and implement but ensures the most accurate representation of the ideal EQ curve. Split passive equalization allows for better impedance matching and lower deviation from the ideal RIAA curve.
High-Tech Mechanical and Electrical Engineering – Hand Made in the EU
M3x ViNYL has a steel chassis and a thick, heavy aluminium frontplate, which brings outstanding rigidity to the entire system and at the same time splendid isolation against outside interference. A key factor in keeping signal to noise ratios on the highest possible level is the huge distance between power transformer and amplifier section. The quality of the outside chassis finish, which is beyond beautiful, as well as the electronics inside – all wired by hand – is maintained by the highest manufacturing standards which we now achieve by fully switching the production to be entirely Made in the EU!
SPECIFICATIONS
MM Input
Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0 .2dB
Input sensitivity: 5mV in for 500mV out (at 1 kHz)
Input impedance: 47KΩ
Input capacitance: 50-400pF selectable
Gain: 40 or 46dB with +6dB function
THD+N: <0.028%
Signal to noise ratio: 95dB
Crosstalk: better than 100dB
MC Input
Frequency response: RIAA or RIAA/IEC ±0.3dB
Input sensitivity: 500μV in for 500mV out (at 1 kHz)
Input impedance: 25Ω to 1,2KΩ selectable
Gain: 60 or 66dB with +6dB function
THD+N: <0.28%
Signal to noise ratio: 80dB
Crosstalk: better than 90dB
Output
1 pair RCA: left and right 500mV nom 10V max
Input
1 pair RCA
Power requirement
Mains voltages: 230V/115V; AC 50/60Hz
Consumption: 20 Watts maximum. 0W in standby)
Weight and Dimensions
Unit only, unboxed: 6.59 kg
In shipping carton & inc . accessories: 10.15 kg
W x H(incl. feet) x D(incl. terminals): 440 x 105 x 390mm
Standard accessories
Mains lead: 10 Amp IEC
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